Coprosma plant named ‘Midnight Martini’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Coprosma  plant named ‘Midnight Martini’ that is characterized by a compact habit and leaves that are green with center yellow streaks and a dark bronze margin.

Botanical classification: Coprosma repens.

Variety denomination: ‘Midnight Martini’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Coprosmaplant botanically known as Coprosma repens and hereinafter referred toby the cultivar name to ‘Midnight Martini’.

The new cultivar was discovered as a naturally occurring branch mutationof Coprosma ‘Tequila Sunrise’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,392). ‘MidnightMartini’ was discovered in a cultivated area of Cambridge, New Zealandin 2007.

Asexual reproduction by tip cuttings of the new cultivar ‘MidnightMartini’ was first performed in 2007 in Cambridge, New Zealand. Sincethat time, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of thenew cultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newCoprosma cultivar ‘Midnight Martini’.

-   -   1. Coprosma ‘Midnight Martini’ exhibits a compact habit.    -   2. Coprosma ‘Midnight Martini’ exhibits leaves that are green        with center yellow streaks and a dark bronze margin.

The closest comparison cultivar is the parent plant Coprosma ‘TequilaSunrise’. The new cultivar ‘Midnight Martini’ is distinguishable from‘Tequila Sunrise’ by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘Midnight Martini’ has leaves that are green with center        yellow streaks and a dark bronze margin. The leaves of ‘Tequila        Sunrise’ have margins that are lighter red in color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits ofCoprosma ‘Midnight Martini’. The plant in the photograph shows anoverall view of a 12 month old plant. The photograph was taken usingconventional techniques and although colors may appear different fromactual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible byconventional photographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Coprosma cultivarnamed ‘Midnight Martini’. Data was collected in Cambridge, New Zealandfrom 12 month old outdoor grown plants in 2.5 liter containers. The timeof year was Fall in the Southern Hemisphere and the average temperaturerange was 18 to 25 degrees Centigrade during the day and 12 to 20degrees Centigrade at night. No photoperiodic treatments or growthretardants were used. Color determinations are in accordance with TheRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 edition, except wheregeneral color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Thegrowing requirements are similar to the species and include well drainedsoils with partial to full sun. ‘Midnight Martini’ has not been testedunder all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observedwith variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions,however, without any variance in genotype.

-   Botanical classification: Coprosma repens ‘Midnight Martini’.-   Use: Ornamental perennial.-   Parentage: ‘Midnight Martini’ is a naturally occurring branch    mutation of Coprosma ‘Tequila Sunrise’.-   Vigor: Moderate.-   Growth rule: Moderate.-   Growth habit: Freely branching, dense, bushy habit.-   Plant shape: Broad upright inverted triangle.-   Suitable container size: 2.5 liter container.-   Height: Average 1.0 m in height.-   Width: Average 1.0 m in width.-   Hardiness: Tolerant to −3 degrees Centigrade.-   Propagation: Tip cuttings.-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 20 days in the Summer and 25    days in the Winter.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting: Approximately 40 days in the    Summer and 200 days in the Winter.-   Root system: Fine and fibrous.-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Dimensions.—18 cm. in length and 3.5 mm. in diameter.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 20.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—195A.        -   Fall/winter color.—162D. Pinching of young plants are            required to produce uniform foliage.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Leaf attachment.—Sessile.        -   Compound or single.—Single.        -   Leaf shape.—Obovate.        -   Leaf apex.—Obtuse.        -   Leaf base.—Rounded.        -   Leaf length.—Average 3.5 cm in length.        -   Leaf width.—1.7 cm in width.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire, slightly wavy.        -   Leaf texture.—Smooth, glossy (both surfaces).        -   Vein pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—143C with center streaks            1A and outer margins 175D.        -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—143C and outer margins            175D.        -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—143A with center streaks            1A and outer margins 175B.        -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—143A with outer margins            175B.        -   Fall/winter leaf color (both surfaces).—200A with center            streaks 33A.        -   Durability of foliage to stress.—High.-   Flowers: Flowers have not been observed.-   Disease and insect resistance: Plants of the new Coprosma have not    been observed for disease or insect resistance.

1. A new and distinct variety of Coprosma plant named ‘Midnight Martini’as described and illustrated.